For Immediate Release

Frank Newsom

Deputy U.S, Marshal

Eastern District of California

(916) 417-0239

“Operation Double Play” Captures Overwhelming Results

STOCKTON – Albert Najera, United States Marshal for the Eastern District of California, and Chief Blair Ulring of the Stockton Police Department, today announced the culmination of a two part joint operation involving fugitive apprehension and strategic proactive patrol throughout the city of Stockton totaling 117 arrests.

The operation was conducted over a four-day period beginning on July 20^th.  The goal of Operation Double Play was to combat the increasing violent crime and gang activity in the Stockton, California area. 

More than 60 law enforcement officers participated in the operation,  The U.S. Marshals Service, the Stockton Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Office of Correctional Safety, San Joaquin County Sheriffs and other federal, state, and local agencies combined resources to locate and apprehend the most violent individuals bring them to justice and remove guns off the streets of Stockton.

U.S. Marshal Albert Najera stated "The tremendous success of Operation Double Play is what can be achieved when the combined resources of local, state and federal law enforcement is focused on a community.  The impact on the criminal element has been significant.  The Stockton community is safer because of our efforts.”

Chief Blair Ulring said, “I want to express my gratitude to the US Marshals, and all of the agencies that participated in this mission, on behalf of the Stockton Police Department and the citizens of the City of Stockton.  These are challenging times for law enforcement across the country, and it is this type of collaborative effort is one of the best ways to safeguard our community”

Chief Anthony Chaus with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and Office of Correctional Safety said “The resounding success of this operation is a perfect example of what can be accomplished when local, state and federal law enforcement agencies work seamlessly together sharing intelligence, resources and personnel to get dangerous criminals off of the streets and behind bars where they belong.  The CDCR is proud to have been a partner in such a worthwhile endeavor.”

“The rigorous enforcement operations conducted with law enforcement partners to proactively combat violent crime were clearly underscored this week in the City of Stockton, stated ATF Special Agent in Charge Stephen C. Herkins.  The countless arrests of violent offenders and removal of numerous dangerous firearms will have impacted the level of violence that the citizens of Stockton have previously suffered.”

Operation Double Play yielded a significant outcome.  Authorities seized 15 firearms, 36.27 grams methamphetamine, 5.69 grams rock cocaine and $935 in U.S. currency.

The following significant arrests were made:

• Top 15 Wanted Khiry ARMSTRONG, was arrested for Homicide.  SPD Detectives interviewed Armstrong.
• Top 15 Wanted Ramor BLACK (aka Yo Yo), was arrested for Homicide. He was seen by Mission Officers walking in the 1400 block of East Market Street and was arrested. 
• Top 15 Wanted Xavier SPIVEY, arrested for Kidnapping and Residential Robbery.  Spivey is also the primary suspect in a Homicide.
• Top 15 Wanted Xavier WILLIAMS, was arrested for Homicide by U.S. Marshals in Roseville, CA.
• Top 15 Wanted Michael WILMER, was arrested by USMS FAT in Tracy, CA, for Home Invasion, Robbery, and Kidnapping.  SPD Detectives interviewed Wilmer.
• Travell WHITE an associated gang member, arrested for Homicide. Detectives interviewed White.
• Top 15 Wanted Anthony IVY was arrested for Homicide
• Elias MARTINEZ, was arrested for two (2) Felony and one (1) Misdemeanor bench warrants.  Martinez was also wanted for questioning in the Homicide of Calvin Claridy. Martinez was interviewed by SPD Detectives and is expected to be identified as the shooter.
• Bennie HALIBURTON, arrested for Assault with a Deadly Weapon.  Haliburton was interviewed by SPD Detectives and subsequently booked for two (2) additional counts of Attempted Murder.  He had been observed walking in the area of Oak and American Street.
• Philander LEWIS, arrested for Attempted Murder out of Modesto, CA, at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Turmpike during a traffic stop.
• Arrested Rohndon POLLARD, and Abigail HOWARD, who were wanted for questioning in the Attempted Murder and Robbery of an armed security guard on 06/25/11.  Both fled on foot and were taken into custody a short distance away.  Pollard was arrested for one (1) Misdemeanor Bench Warrant and Resisting Arrest while Howard was arrested for Resisting Arrest.  SPD Detectives interviewed Pollard and Howard.  Pollard was subsequently booked for two (2) counts of Attempted Murder, stemming from shooting the security guard and for shooting Sutter Street Crip gang member Dave Fernandez a week prior.

Participating agencies included the U.S. Marshals Service with the USMS led Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force, the Stockton Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Office of Correctional Safety Fugitive Apprehension Team, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office and the California Highway Patrol.